ABSTRACT
The poultry farmers are faced with a variety of output and income fluctuations arising from risks associated with the enterprise. This study examined the implications of risks and risk management strategies on the farm output of broiler poultry farmers in Anambra State, Nigeria. Data collected from 200 respondents selected through a multi-stage sampling procedure were analysed with descriptive statistics, and multiple regression. The result showed that the average number of birds owned by the respondents was 271 birds with casualty rate of 3%/stock. The identified serious risk factors were high cost and unavailability of feed, price fluctuation, diseases outbreak, climate change, unpredictable output, sickness/death of owner, inefficient workers, financial risk and insecurity. The risk management strategies practiced include purchase of birds from reputable sources, buying inputs ahead of time, proper and timely medication/vaccination, diversification, bio-security measures, bulk buying, and proper management. The number of years in school, farming experience, number of risk management strategies, stock size, fund/credit availability, extension agents visits, and number of risks experienced significantly determined the output of broiler production. High cost of feed, low selling price, inadequate access to drugs/veterinary services, insufficient funds, transportation difficulties, diseases outbreak, and poor quality chicks are some serious constraints to broiler production. The study concludes that the farmers are conscious of these risk factors and have put strategies in place to curb their effect. However, well trained extension agents should visit the poultry farms and organize free trainings and seminars on effective and better management practices for maximum output. Keywords: Broiler poultry production, Risk management strategies, Production risks, Farm output, Poultry farmers, Biosecurity measures.

ABSTRACT
Soil organic and inorganic carbon fractions play a critical role in soil fertility, microbial activity, and carbon sequestration. However, land use changes and soil depth variations significantly influence these carbon fractions. This study investigated the effects of different land use types and soil depth on soil organic carbon and inorganic carbon fractions in Ondo State, Nigeria. A 5 × 3 factorial experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), consisting of five land-use types (oil palm plantation, cocoa plantation, mango plantation, forest land, and arable land) and three soil depth levels (0-10 cm, 10-20 cm, and 20-30 cm) was carried out at the Federal University of Technology, Akure. Soil samples were collected from the Teaching and Research Farm of the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State. Various carbon fractions, including microbial biomass carbon (MBC), particulate organic carbon (POC), and SOC, were analysed using standard laboratory procedures. Results indicated that forest land and oil palm plantations had the highest SOC levels, while arable land exhibited the lowest. A significant decline in SOC was observed with increasing soil depth, with the highest levels found in the top 0-10 cm layer. MBC was highest at 10-20 cm and 20-30 cm depths, suggesting favourable conditions for microbial activity in these layers. The study concludes that land use management practices that promote organic matter accumulation, such as agroforestry, are essential for enhancing soil carbon storage and microbial health. Recommendations include adopting conservation agriculture practices to mitigate the adverse effects of intensive tillage on soil quality.

ABSTRACT
Farm cost measurement has been studied, especially its types; make up; and impact on agricultural policy in agricultural economic theory. Understanding the value of farm costs is important when measuring how profitable a farm is, how productively and efficiently a farmer uses resources, the type of pricing to use, and how a farmer can achieve long-term sustainable agriculture. This study uses a quantitative and analytical method based primarily on secondary information gathered from the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO); the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP); the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO); the Government of India's Ministry of Agriculture; and other secondary sources. This paper describes the different types of farm costs, i.e. fixed/variable; direct/indirect; cash/non-cash; as well as standard cost concepts developed in India for agricultural pricing and policy analysis; i.e. A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2, and C3. Another key point made in this study is to be aware that both explicit and implicit costs are equally as important when trying to determine how much a farm is economical to run. The major components of cultivation costs are: Labour, Fertilizers, Irrigation, and Equipment. Some of the key barriers to accurately measuring farm costs are poor record keeping, lack of valuation for implicit costs, regional variation, and market imperfections (imperfect markets). Thus, this study stresses that there should be; (1) standardised data collection methodology; (2) more digital technologies developed to collect data more accurately; and (3) more support from institutions, i.e. government agencies and agricultural extension service providers; in completing an accurate cost analysis of farms.